7 day route

[Jorvik]

Good morning and thank you for having me!

I plan to do a 7 day LEJOG in May. I intend to do this for a local mental health charity and although from what i've read 7 days is a tough undertaking, it also sounds do-able and a week just sounds good for fundraising purposes!

Does anyone have any tried and tested ideas for a route? I understand the A30 can be a little hair-raising but pretty much unavoidable for such a timescale?
It'd be nice to have good views as much as possible, but it's a luxury and my only real interest is getting there in the 7 days.

I promise I wont be one of those who you never hear from again, once i've set my heart on something it gets done and i've deliberately told certain people to keep the pressure on!

[Mick F]

Welcome to the forum!

A30 is indeed the quickest way all the way to Exeter, then through the city and out on the B3181 (old A38) to the A38 just east of Tiverton (M5 J27) and north and onwards.

Alternative is not much slower ........
A30 from Land's End and through to Hayle town centre.
Go through the town, and out to the roundabout and off via Connor Downs (old A30)
Stay out of Camborne and Redruth town centres, then rejoin the A30 at Three Burrows.

Keep on it, and peel off via St Newlyn East and head for White Cross on the A392. Cross the main road there then join the A39.
Stay on the A39 right through to Wadebridge and Camelford and turn east onto the A395.
Turn off after Hallworthy through Egloskerry and to Launceston.
Head east on the A388 and then the old A30 via Lifton and Lewdown to Sourton then the A386 and into Okehampton town.
Go straight through on the old A30 for Exeter via Sticklepath and Whiddon Down, then Cheriton Bishop and Tedburn St Mary.

This suggestion isn't as quick as the main A30 all the way, but it's nicer.

[Jamesh]

I can vouch for Mick F route as did it in 8 days end of June / July.

Not too hilly.

Stay at Betty coker inn at Oakhampton good food and lodgings.

7 days you really are pushing it and your going to put some long days in.

My longest was 160 miles... But if you go via gloucester should be quicker. Don't go into shewsbury town centre as it's a steep hill and all the cheap eating places are on the ring road.

I went via Glasgow which was a bit longer too.

Cheers James

[Paulatic]

May ?
7 days...I’d think JOGLE
Wind

[Jorvik]

Cheers for the advice so far folks, much appreciated!

May ?
7 days...I’d think JOGLE
Wind

Ha, it doesn't seem to matter when I ride, headwinds always seem guaranteed! I'm looking at 14th-20th May simply because it fits best around work.

[Jorvik]

My longest was 160 miles...

What advice would you give when cycling such a distance in 1 day in the context of LEJOG? How regularly were you stopping, eating etc...? Thanks

The things that keep springing to mind are saddle soreness and neck pain! The latter seems to improve as I step up distances and time on the bike, the former I guess I should be looking for seat and short recommendations?!

[charliepolecat]

Saddles are too much of a personal thing for anyone to recommend one over another. You just have to keep trying different ones until you find the one that doesn't hurt so much - and despite what anyone tells you, they all hurt until the bum says, "Okay, I give up" and stops whining.

[NATURAL ANKLING]

hi,
The problem with long distances is you don't really want to be spending too much time off the bike.
In my experience you need to feed up, then ride for about three hours stop and repeat.
It's a bit like running marathons when you can run 6 miles without stopping And feel half good about it you can then run a marathon no problem.
Also you need to go three hours with enough water assuming you're just drank and carry two bottles that would be okay.
Also you need to ideally access food whilst on the bike.
From your pockets or side pockets on the rucksack you know the mesh ones.
Of course all this depends on your rate of work.
160 miles means you'll be working quite hard.
I would plan to carry food with you that you can get from a co-op spa or petrol station.
Stopping and ordering food et cetera takes a lot of time.
But the hot takeaway Burger pie or pasty is good.

Edited –
Sorry 160 miles from was from another poster.
Anyway so advice applies

[charliepolecat]

I will echo that keeping moving is essential if you are to meet your distance goals. Even riding ten miles an hour is taking you further than sitting on your bum noshing in a store.

[Jorvik]

From a scan of this and other boards, 2 routes have popped up. Are either to be recommended?

Route 1
LE to Tiverton
Tiverton to Worcester
Worcester to Lancaster
Lancaster to Lockerbie
Lockerbie to Perth
Perth to Inverness
Inverness to John O Groats

Route 2
LE to Tiverton
Tiverton to Leominster
Leominster to Lancaster
Lancaster to Galashiels
Galashiels to Pitlochry
Pitlochry to Alness
Alness to JOG

LE to Tiverton is a big stretch especially taking into account the trickier riding in Cornwall, but I guess it's probably better to put a big stint in at the start when you're still full of beans?!

[Mick F]

The usual first stop is Okehampton. 100miles from LE, and the toughest 100miles of the whole trip.
However, from Okehampton to Tiverton is much easier in comparison - another 30miles.

Later, I'd go via Leominster/Whitchurch/Warrington/Wigan/Preston/Lancaster.

[philvantwo]

7 days, you'll need to go Gloucester and Worcester way.

[Mick F]

Oh definitely!
Don't go over the Severn Bridge and Wye Valley. Go through Gloucester!

As for Worcester or Leominster, it's a moot point methinks. Bigger busier roads via Worcester though.

[charliepolecat]

Don't go over the Severn Bridge and Wye Valley.

Oh, oh! The people providing my route go that way.

[Jorvik]

I've booked accommodation for the full trip and have the following checkpoints:

Day 1) LE to TIverton
2) Tiverton to Worcester
3) Worcester to Preston
4) Preston to Galashiels
5) Galashiels to Pitlochry
6) Pitlochry to Alness
7) Alness to JOG

Now to get the training in!